Hercostomus is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae.[3] It is a large genus, containing more than 483 species worldwide.[4] Multiple studies have shown that Hercostomus is a polyphyletic assemblage of species.[1][5][6]
The genus currently includes the following species groups, at least 25 of which are known from China:[7]
The Palearctic species of Hercostomus are traditionally separated into five numbered groups, based on the coloration of the femora, postocular setae and antennae:[4]
In 1999, Igor Grichanov divided the Afrotropical species of Hercostomus into three numbered groups.[19] Two of these have since been separated into their own genera:[20]